North Crowley Upsets DeSoto in Thrilling 57-51 Victory
On Friday night, North Crowley and DeSoto faced off in a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top teams in Texas high school football. In a high-scoring shootout, the North Crowley Panthers emerged victorious with a 57-51 win over the defending 6A Division II champion DeSoto Eagles.
Three-star running back Cornelius Warren led the way for North Crowley, rushing for three touchdowns, including a pivotal 66-yard go-ahead score in the fourth quarter that put the Panthers up 49-44. Warren also contributed two key two-point conversions. Shortly after his final touchdown, fellow three-star running back Daniel Bray added another explosive play, sprinting 62 yards for a touchdown to extend North Crowley’s lead.
DeSoto’s offense had its moments as well, with three-star quarterback Kelden Ryan accounting for three touchdowns in the first half—two on the ground. However, Ryan was sidelined by an injury midway through the third quarter. In his absence, backup quarterback Legend Howell stepped up, converting a crucial fourth down before four-star running back Deondrae Riden scored a touchdown to give DeSoto a brief lead.
With this victory, North Crowley improved to 2-0 on the season and extended their road winning streak to seven games, dating back to last year. Under head coach Ray Gates, the Panthers have compiled an impressive 28-2 record since his arrival. In Gates’ first season, North Crowley transformed from a 7-4 team to a 12-win powerhouse, with their only loss coming in the third round of the playoffs. In his second season, the team advanced to the state semifinals before falling to Duncanville. Now, in year three, the Panthers have delivered one of the most significant regular-season wins in recent memory, signaling their potential to compete for a championship.
Despite the loss, DeSoto still had standout performances, including a 150-yard rushing effort from Riden, who also scored a touchdown. Myson Johnson-Cook chipped in with 108 rushing yards, helping keep DeSoto in the game.
The loss snapped DeSoto’s 16-game winning streak dating back to last season, dropping them to 1-1 on the year. Meanwhile, North Crowley’s victory solidifies their position as one of the top contenders in the state.
